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Sleep apnea is an issue that affects millions of people each year, and it can be incredibly tough to sleep with it when it is not properly treated. Unfortunately for many, CPAP machine other over-the-counter products do not work as well as advertised and cause more issues than they solve.
Benefits of an Oral Appliance for Sleep Apnea
If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, your doctor may prescribe the use of a CPAP machine (which stands for continuous positive airway pressure). Unfortunately, wearing the mask that comes with the CPAP machine makes it notoriously hard to sleep.
However, a dentist can provide you with oral appliances for sleep apnea, rather than having to rely on a CPAP machine as a method of treatment. Below are some of the top benefits of choosing an oral appliance over a CPAP machine to treat your sleep apnea:
More comfortable to wear
An oral appliance for sleep apnea is not much different than wearing a mouthguard in many cases, and it is much more comfortable to wear while sleeping than a CPAP machine, as CPAP machines are incredibly uncomfortable to many.
There are a number of different types of oral appliances a dentist can provide, and they can ensure the one you receive is tailored and customized to meet your particular needs.
Allows for better sleep
An oral appliance is much more comfortable to wear when compared against CPAP machines, which makes the act of falling asleep easier. Even if falling asleep while wearing a CPAP is not an issue, many find they constantly wake up throughout the night due to getting tangled with the machine — especially those who move a lot while sleeping.
An oral appliance for sleep apnea, however, allows patients to freely move around while sleeping, without worrying about getting tangled in their CPAP device.
Eliminates dry sinuses
Another major complaint sleep apnea patients who rely on a CPAP machine have is that they constantly wake up throughout the night with a dry mouth and nose due to air pressure. Dry sinuses can be an awful feeling and lead to a lack of sleep each night. On the other hand, an oral appliance does not rely on air flow to treat sleep apnea, and it is a great alternative for those who are tired throughout the day because their CPAP machine prevented them from getting a decent night of sleep.
Easy to travel with
From the machine to the mask to the tubes, there are a lot of parts involved with a CPAP machine, and it can make travel more complicated. With an oral appliance for sleep apnea from a dentist, however, one can easily travel and not worry about their sleep apnea. An oral appliance from a dentist can easily be kept up with by storing it in a small case, which is also provided by the dentist.
The Bottom Line
If you suffer from sleep apnea and want to learn more about how an oral appliance can help you sleep better each night, we invite you to contact us and schedule a time to come in for a consultation.
Request an appointment or call Integrated Dental Care at (610) 600-9745 for an appointment in our Exton office.